. >> reporter: john mccain seized on hagel's opposition to the surge in iraq. >> the question is, are we right or wrong, that's a pretty straightforward question. >> well, i'm not going to give you a yes or no anxious. >> reporter: over his 2008 comments related to israel that a quote jewish lobby intimidate lot of people in congress. >> name one person in your opinion who is intimidated by the israeli lobby in the united states senate. >> well first -- >> name one. >> i don't know. >> reporter: hagel was repeatedly pressed by both democrats and republicans to make clear this point on israel. >> i strongly support israel. >> reporter: hagel had on the terror organization, incorrectly referred to the u.s. policy on iran and nuclear weapons as containment. >> by the way, i've just been handed a note that i misspoke. >> reporter: hagel said he fully backs the president's position that iran cannot be allowed to get nuclear weapons and says the u.s. should talk to iran. >> that was nbc's kelly o'connell. >>> three stories that we'll be developing later today. secretary of state hillary cli